Kane County Fair

Thinking of heading out there this weekend. Any dining recommendations within the complex?

If there's anything resembling the Fry-Stack, run away screaming.

Llama wrote:If there's anything resembling the Fry-Stack, run away screaming.

I shall.

Dave148 wrote:Thinking of heading out there this weekend. Any dining recommendations within the complex?

Personally, i would pass on the Kane, McHenry and Lake County Fairs. There is not a whole lot to see at those fairs.

I would HIGHLY recommend the Rock County 4-H Fair in Janesville, WI (Jul 28 - Aug 2), the Boone Co. (IL) Fair (Aug 11-16), and the Sandwich Fair in Sandwich, IL south of DeKalb (Sep 9-13). All have a lot more of the agricultural exhibits and more food opportunities.

I enjoyed the Kane County fair the one time I was there. But I didn't see any good eats, unfortunately.

Thanks guys. If I end up schlepping out there, I'll eat before or after.

jlawrence01 wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Thinking of heading out there this weekend. Any dining recommendations within the complex?

Personally, i would pass on the Kane, McHenry and Lake County Fairs. There is not a whole lot to see at those fairs.

While I missed all the fairs you're describing, we hit both McHenry and Lake County last year and had an enjoyable time: they were all fun for Sparky, who'd never seen a demolition derby or a meat-on-the-hoof auction before, and enough of a curiosity to keep me and the hubby occupied - if you don't have a kid, YMMV. I particuarly enjoyed my conversation with the bee-expert in one of the sheds, and all the take-your-picture-with-the-candidate's-cutout in the various political booths. As far as food goes, keep your expectations low and deep-fried and you'll be OK - I do recall getting some halfway decent pulled pork at one point, from a guy with a competition-style smoker. It helps to enjoy the visuals of the over-the-top food stands and then find your food at the simpler ones. I can see where both these fairs are held in a less agriculturally-inclined area than the ones further south, so I agree that there might be something else out there that's better...

We're going camping next week and I realized that the county fair made it more tolerable for Sparky last year - the IL Dept of Agriculture has a full list of fairs here: http://www.agr.state.il.us/fair/countyfairssched.php

Darren72 wrote:I enjoyed the Kane County fair the one time I was there. But I didn't see any good eats, unfortunately.

I realized that I confused the Kane County Fair (which I have not attended) with the Kane County Flea Market, which takes place at the same venue and to which I was referring. Sorry about that.

In all fairness, let me get very specific as to what make the three fairs special amongst all the fairs that take place in this region.

The Rock Co. 4-H Fair is one of the coolest fairs in the area. There are literally barns after barns of young people who spend the ENTIRE week there with the animals they raise. Not to say that does not happen in some of the more urban counties but it is really cool. There are literally a dozen buildings of various displays of 4-H goods. And they have a sale of animals that is really awesome.

Food wise, a lot of the booths are community groups and they put out some good products. Expect excellent fried cheeses, very good ice cream and a wide variety of Wisconsin foods.

The Boone Co Fair is the one absolutely "can't miss" fair in my house. No matter how we plan, we end up going on Saturday nights when the crowds are really crazy. Saturday night is when they bring out all of the draft horses and do a lot of precision moves. There are a lot of barns, a lot of entertainment but also a lot of commercial booths that reflect the nature and business of the county. They have booths from everything to Green Giant. They also have pig races and tigers and a lot of other things.

And the food. The firemen make home made donuts. The boy scouts and the local dairy both bring ice cream. Roasted corn and pork chops are really great. And another boy scout troop does a baked potato bar. You will not find anything fancy but most of the things are done well. They have some great roasted chicken on Saturdays.

The Sandwich Fair is more of an agricultural fair and is always the LAST fair of the season in this area. Many of my farmer friends who USED to head off to the McHenry Co. Fair have moved to the Sandwich fair as that fair really draws people from the entire region.

I was looking at Rock County's website - we're thinking of heading up to the Palisades for camping and won't be that far...

Mhays wrote:I was looking at Rock County's website - we're thinking of heading up to the Palisades for camping and won't be that far...

With gas (and hotel) prices at near term lows, I am planning to hit the Rock, the Boone and the Sandwich Fairs in one year. In between, I hope to hit the Iowa and Minnesota State Fairs and the Mennonite Relief Sale in Arthur, IL.

That is aggressive but you only live once.

Mhays wrote:While I missed all the fairs you're describing, we hit both McHenry and Lake County last year and had an enjoyable time: they were all fun for Sparky, who'd never seen a demolition derby or a meat-on-the-hoof auction before, and enough of a curiosity to keep me and the hubby occupied - if you don't have a kid, YMMV. I particuarly enjoyed my conversation with the bee-expert in one of the sheds, and all the take-your-picture-with-the-candidate's-cutout in the various political booths. As far as food goes, keep your expectations low and deep-fried and you'll be OK - I do recall getting some halfway decent pulled pork at one point, from a guy with a competition-style smoker. It helps to enjoy the visuals of the over-the-top food stands and then find your food at the simpler ones. I can see where both these fairs are held in a less agriculturally-inclined area than the ones further south, so I agree that there might be something else out there that's better...

Speaking as a multi-year veteran of broadcasting live from the McHenry County Fair back in the mid-80's, I'd say that the best food items there are the hand dipped ice cream bars and the sweet corn. The rest was an embarrassment for the oil in which it was fried. They also managed to feature the blandest pulled pork (prepared by the Pork Council) that I have ever had the misfortune to taste. Nice tractor pull, though.

I'm not disagreeing with either of you, but if you have kids it's a nice summer distraction - when I went, there were two trailer-style BBQ places that were affiliated with no one - one had crock-pot-style pulled pork and one had some that was relatively decent - and by relatively, I am not speaking by LTH standards.

Not a meal, or anything, but do the cinnamon nut roasters set up shop for the fair? If so, I'd suggest a SMALL bag , cuz you'll eat the whole thing no matter what size. You'll smell em if they are there. They always do the flea market.

Hi,

For years, state and county fairs were the only locations for fresh dipped corn dogs. We now have a few brick and mortar sources. The Illinois State Fair does attract different vendors of corn dogs for comparison opportunities, because they use different dogs and batters.

I am a sucker for elephant ears. Put plenty of butter-tasting stuff and cinnnamon-sugar to whip up my interest.

I visit the Ag tent at the Illinois State Fair, for their egg on a stick, apple juice slushies and other delicacies d'Illinois. I also tend to buy my food at the Beef and Pork Producer's pavillion, because it tends to be less expensive than carnival food.

Regards,

I haven't been to the Kane County Fair this year but the grounds have been renovated over this past year and a huge new exposition building is now the anchor. It's nowhere near as ratty as it had become there for a while and from what I have seen in my local paper, the animal exhibits and 4-H related things are being featured more this year. It's being promoted more family oriented at a lower cost.

stevez wrote:
Speaking as a multi-year veteran of broadcasting live from the McHenry County Fair back in the mid-80's, I'd say that the best food items there are the hand dipped ice cream bars and the sweet corn. The rest was an embarrassment for the oil in which it was fried. They also managed to feature the blandest pulled pork (prepared by the Pork Council) that I have ever had the misfortune to taste. Nice tractor pull, though.

The McHenry Co. fairgrounds sold off a good chunk of their property to Jewel-Osco a few years ago so what was a small fair got smaller. They were supposed to purchase a new site but that has not occurred at this time.

Many of the farmers that I know refuse to participate because the fair put in a beer tent which they believe the wrong element to what had been a family event. However, many of them are almost as close to Belvidere, home of the Boone Co. Fair as they are to Woodstock.

I have to confess that I have not been to the McHenry Co. fair for the last three years. I cannot get really excited about it and I am more than willing to wait another week for Boone co.

Mennonite Relief Sale in Arthur, IL.

FYI - Arthur is less than 25 miles south of Champaign-Urbana.

I've never been to this sale, what is it like?

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:

Mennonite Relief Sale in Arthur, IL.

I've never been to this sale, what is it like?

Here is the website:

http://arthurreliefsale.mennonite.net/

This will give you some basic information.

On Friday night, there is generally a pig roast and the fixins. Then there is an auction of some furniture, quilts and some smaller items.

On Saturday morning, there is a pancake and sausage breakfast, homemade donuts, pastries, and the like. The auction starts at 8:30 am and continues until everything is gone. Lunch is generally roast chicken. Pork chops, homemade ice cream, pretzels, french fries are also available. Also, there are taco salads which are called pedros and quite different and interesting.

There are a variety of cakes, pies, noodles and the liek that are available for sale. It is all homemade.

We have been going every 2nd or 3rd year since 1990 or so. There are other sales around the country - most communities with significant Amish or Mennonite populations sponsor one - but few have the charm of this one.

Hope that helps.